Motor starting system



y 1944. B. F. MILLER MOTOR STARTING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l .Eu/E'ToA/EM/LLEQ,

INVEN TO R.

BY I ATTORNEY.

M Ne

y 25, B. F. MILLER MOTOR STARTING SYSTEM Filed Oct. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 25, 1944 MOTOR STARTING SYSTEM Burton F. Miller, Beverly Hills, cum, alsignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application October 7, 1942, Serial No. 461,136

Claims.

This invention relates to A. C. interlock or Selsyn motor starting systems and particularly to such systems for controlling the starting of motion picture camera motors in synchronism with sound recorder motors.

It is well known in the art of motion picture production that synchronous interlocked motors vareemployed to drive the picture cameras and sound recorders at separated locations. Such drive systems as illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 2,301,910. of November 10, 1942, and U. S. Patent No. 2,310,340 of February 9, 1943, utilize a distributor-generator whose polyphase stator wind-' ings together with the polyphase stator windings of the camera and recorder motors are connected to an A. C. source. The polyphase rotor circuits are interconnected and paralleled by a predetermined amount of resistance. The distributor is rotated at a constant speed by a driving motor which may be either D. C. or synchronous for producing the necessary rotating currents in the rotor circuits to permit of uniform rotation of the rotors. In -the starting arrangements for such drive systems, it is necessary for the motors to be electrically locked in position, which is usually done by first connecting one phase of all the stators to the power source to initially position the rotors and then by connecting the other two phases to the power source to increase the electrical interlock. Power is then applied to the driving motor to rotate the distributor. When the interlock is applied to all three phases simultaneously there is danger of the motors running away as they may be so far out of phase that large circulating currents occur, which produce such great acceleration that the rotors overshoot the line-up position and continue to rotate. Energization of the last two phases of the interlock and energization of the driving motor may be accomplished simultaneously, although it is preferable to provide a short time delay between these connections as well as between the enersization of the first phase and the other two phases. In the past these connections have been made manu ally, the sequence and amounts of time delay being subject to the skill of the operator.

The present invention is directed to automatic starting systems for interlock motors wherein it is only necessary for the operator to actuate a single switch to initiate the necessar series 01' connectionsfor locking up the motors and applying energy to the driving motor; the sequence of operations and the necessary time intervals between them being predetermined to insure optimum starting conditions at all times. Two modifications of the invention are disclosed herein, one

utilizing a direct current source of energy in which a direct current to alternating current converter and a direct current drivingmotor is employed. The other modification is adapted for use with alternating current such as a 220 volt, three phase. 60 cycle source. The same fundamental principle for obtaining the properly timed sequence of operations for locking up of the motors and applying energy to the driving motor is embodied in both systems, the timing being accomplished by vacuum tube rectiflers. Inthi manner optimum starting conditions are assured at all times.

The principal object of the invention, therefore, is to automatically control the. sequence ofconnections for starting a plurality of alternating current interlocked motors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic control system for a plurality of alternating current interlock motors.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method and system for automatically connecting a plurality of Selsyn motors to a power supply for synchronous operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic starting system for a plurality of interlocked motors wherein a plurality oi predetermined timed series of connections is obtained by the use of electronic devices.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims appended herewith. the manner of its organization and the mode of its operation will be better understood by referring to the following description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a combination schematic and diagrammatic drawing of an embodiment of the invention employing a direct current power source, and,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic and schematic drawing of an embodiment of the invention utilizing a three-phase alternating current power source.

Referring now to Fig. 1, a 1i0-volt source is connected across terminals 5 and 8 on the lefthand side of the drawing, terminal 5 being connected by conductor 1 to a movable arm I of a manual starting box It having a plurality of tapped resistance sections. The right-hand terminal ll of the sections is connected by conductors l2 and it to a direct current to alternating current converter ll, the return connection being over conductors H and il to the plus terminal O of the direct current powersupply. Thus,

for manual operation, as the arm 8 is swung to the right and contact made with the first terminal, direct current will be fed to the converter l5 and three-phase A. C. will be generated.

The output of the converter I5 is impressed over three-phase conductors 10, 2| and 22 to the stators of A. C. interlock or Selsyn motors shown diagrammatically at 25, such as are commonly used in the cameras and sound recorders of motion picture recording systems. The three-phase conductors 20, 2| and 22 are also shown connected over conductors 28 to the stator of the distributor diagrammatically represented by the box 28, the rotor of the distributor 28 being adapted to be rotated by shaft 29 connected to a D. C. driving motor 30. The rotors oi the controlled motors oi the cameras and sound recorcler and the rotor of the distributor are shown interconnected over conductors ll, 32 and 33, three resistmces 35 being adapted to be connected across the rotors when a switch 36 is closed. The direct current driving motor for the distributor is energized from the D. C. source over conductors i8, 37, 38 and 38 when a switch 48 is closed.

Thus, to manually operate the above system, the arm 3 oi the starting box i is first moved across the resistance contacts to the point II to generate three-phase alternating currents. As soon as a stable output voltage is established, a switch i2 is thrown, energizing one-phase of the stators of the motors and the stator of the distributor over conductors 20 and 25 and two of conductors to filter a short interval to permit the rotors electm'cally line up, switch 43 is thrown ti the electrical lock and the and d2 closed to close the rotor circuit with resistances 35 and to energize motor of the distributor 2!.

oiish these autornaticnlh the above corn ctions are k under control of a sin le switch such as shcuue at &5. When the switch 15 is closed 9. circuit is completed from negative terminal oi he (3. power source over conduc' c. relay winding ll,

'tch co 3C, c ductor hi3, conductor 9, tor switch to, conclud w tor switch it, which reoperation, uctors ii and e E of the direct cur or cor ctcr it and stator conployec the automatic control nt all motor posis are not electricaliy switch will energize refollowing thee operations. First, the normally closed contacts 35; are brolzen to reduce the current through wi ding by adding a re slstance winding circmt this relay to d lhdeiinitely without overheating. "1g of contacts 5? closes energizii c" l" r on eiectronic-rectifier tube over one phase oi? the stator windings. This e11ei'g ""ing circuit from phase i or stator conductor of over conductor cc, to contacts 86, then in parallel over conductors E2 and 83 to the primary of filament winding transformer I4 and. the primary of anod transformer 65, then over conductor 6i, contacts i and conductor it to phase 2 or stator conductor 2!. The closing of contacts ll connects the converter to the power terminals 5-. over a circuit from the terminal i, over conductor 46, contacts 10, conductor H, conductor It, middle terminal of the starting box ll, conductors l2 and I3, through converter II and over conductors l1 and It to the positive terminal 8 of the power supply. Thus, when contacts 51 and 10 are closed the converter is started through a portion of the resistance box and energy immediately is supplied to the filament and anodes of the rectifier tube SI. The ratio of the windings oi the filament heating transformer 84 is so chosen that when the converter I5 is up to the maximum speed obtainable from the mid-tap on the resistance starting box I. sufilcient filament voltage is provided to permit the rectifier 58 to operate relay 12 within a. predetermined time period.

When the rectifier tube 58 has been heated to supply sufllcient current to operate the relay 1! over conductors 18 and H, the remaining starting connections are made by the simultaneous closing of contacts 11, 80, 82, 83 and 84 and the opening of contacts 60. First, the normally closed contacts 60 are broken, inserting retard coils 15 in the transformer energizing circuits which sets up a normal operating condition for the rectifier 68 when the converter ll has attained full speed. Next, normally open contacts H are closed which will impress the full running voltage from the power source on the D. C. motor of the converter 15. This circuit is from the negative terminal 5 of the D. C. power source, over conductor 6, contacts 10, conductor 1 I conductor 18, contacts 11, conductors l5 and H, through the converter 15, and over conductors l? and 18 to the positive terminal 6 oi the source of energy. The closing of contacts 8D connects the other two phases of the stator windings by shorting the switch 43 over conductors 8|. The closing of contacts 82 shorts the switch 40 and the driving motor 30 is energized over conductors it, 31, 38 and 39. The closing of contacts I3 and 84 shorts the switch 16 over a plurality oi conductors 85 to connect the rheostat resistances 35 across the rotors cf the motors and distributor.

Thus, from the above it will he observed that after the manual closing of th single switch 5 (switch "i2 always being closed for automatic operation), the starting connections follow in a predetermined sequence with the proper time intervals between the connections requiring such time intervals. Thus, the actuation. of relay i1 starts the converter 85 through a resistance, conmeets the rectifier 58 to the A. generator and up a single phase of th stators of the controlled motors and, distributor. The actuation of relay l2, infer a. surhcient period to permit these rotors to reach heir line positions con nects full voltage to the converter locks the other two phases and energizes the di ll'lg' motor the distributor. The necessary resistances are also connected the rotor circuits, and the impedances of the relay circuits adjusted to secure normal relay currents.

Referring now to Fig. an all clternating current system as illustrated in the above mentioned patents is shown wherein the dishihutor is diegrammatically represented by a box 80 and the control motors are represented by e. hora 9!, while the three-phase synchronous driving motor is represented by a. box 92. The 220-volt, threephusc, 60 cycle power source is connected to terminals 94 while one terminal of a -v0lt A.

power source is connected at 85, and the other or ground terminal is connected at 86.

To permit a clear understanding of the automatic operation, manual operation of the system will first be described. To energize the first phase of the stators, a momentary starting switch 91 is shown in the umer right-hand corner, which switch will energize relay winding 98 over a circuit from terminal 85 over conductor 99, switch 81, conductor I88 and winding 98. to terinitial 84. Energization o! the winding 88 will close contacts I44, contacts Ill, contacts I88,

and contacts I61. The closing of contacts I84 will lock up the relay 88 over a circuit from the terminal 95, conductor 98, normally closed stop switch III. conductor III, normally closed contact H2 of a relay III, conductor II4, contacts I84 and winding 88 to terminal 88. Thus, the switch 91 can be released and the relay 94 will remain energized.

The closing of contacts I65 and I66 will impress energy on the stators oi the controlled motors and the distributor from two oi the terminals 84 over conductors II6, closed contacts I85 and I86 and over conductors III and III to the stators of the distributor 98 and controlled motors II. The closing of contacts I81 will connect the terminal 96 over conductors I28, III and I22 to the left-hand terminal of relay winding I25, which is normally disconnected from the terminal 96. Now the momentary closing oi the second start switch I 26 will energize relay winding I25 over a circuit from the terminal 95, conductor 99, closed switch I28, conductor I21, relay winding i25, conductor I22, closed contacts I81 and conductors HI and I28 to terminal 96. The energization of relay I25 will simultaneously close contacts I28, I88, HI and I82.

The closing of contacts I 29 will lock up the relay I25 over acircuit from the terminal 95, conductor 89. closed 01! switch I84, conductor I95 and closed contacts I29 back tothe terminal 96. Thus, the switch I26 may be released and the relay I25 will remain actuated. The closing of contacts I88 will energize the other two phases of the stators of the distributor and motors from the third terminal of terminals 84 over conductor I81, contacts I48 and over conductors I84 and I88 to the respective stators. This will tighten the electrical lock on the distributor and motors preventing any run-away condition. The closing of contacts I 3| of relay- I25 will energize an indicating lamp I over a circuit from terminal 85, conductor 99, conductor I42, closed contacts IJI, conductor I48 and through the lamp I4I to the ground I 42' or terminal 86. The closing of contacts I82, similar to the closing of contact I41 oi relay 94, will connect relay winding I44 to terminal 84 over conductors I 28, I45, contacts I32, and conductor I46.

The closing of the third start switch I48 will thus energize the relay I44 over a circuit from terminal 95, conductor 98, switch I48, conductor I49 to relay I44 and then over the ground circuit just traced through relays 98 and I25 to terminal 96. energizes relay II over a circuit from the terminal 95, conductor 98, switch I48, conductor I52, conductor I81, relay winding III and conductor I58 to the terminal 96 through the abovetraced ground circuit. The actuation of relay I44 closes its contacts I55, I56, I51 and I58 and the actuation of relay I5I closes its contacts I59, I68, and lil and opens its contact I62. The closing of contacts I of relay I 44 and contacts I59 The closing oi switch I48 simultaneously.

of relay I5I locks these relays closed through a circuit from terminal over conductor 99, closed switch I64, conductor I65, through contacts I55 to relay I44; and over a parallel conductor I66, through contacts I59 to relay I5I. Thus, the third starting switch I48 may be opened and the relays I44 and I5! remain energized. The closing oi contacts I58, I51, and I58 connects the driving motor 82 to the three-phase terminals 94 over conductors I68 through contacts I56, I51 and I58 andconductors I69, thus energizing the driving motor and rotating the distributor. Simultaneously. the closing of contacts I88 and I6I will connect a variable rheostat I1I across the rotors oi the system over conductors I12, contacts I60 and lil, conductors I18, and conductors I14.

It will be noted that a closed switch'228 is shown in conductor I49 in the energizing circuit for the relay I44 which connects the power source to the distributor driving motor. If it is desired to operate the motor system at nonsynchronou s speeds, this switch may be opened thus preventing the operation of relay I44 when switch I48 is closed. The distributor and controlled motors then operate as normal threephase induction motors, the speed of which is determined by the amount of resistance connected across the rotor circuits by rheostat I1I.

-Thus, to operate the system manually the start switches 91, I26 and I48 are operated in that sequence, switch 91 being closed first to interlock one phase of the stators of the motors and distributor, switch I26 being closed next to tighten the look by energizing all three phases of the stators of the distributor and motor, the time interval between the closing of switches 91 and I26 permitting the single phase lock to line u the rotors, and switch I48 being closed last to energize the driving motor for rotating the distributor and to connect the resistances I1I across the rotor circuit. The system now to be described automatically makes these connections with the optimum time interval between operations, it only being necessary for the operator to close a single switch such as shown at I15.

When the main power switch (not shown) of the system is thrown, a circuit is completed from the terminal 95 over conductor 99 through the primary winding of a transformer I16 over conductor I11, conductor I18, conductor I45 and .conductor I28 to terminal 96. The energizing of this circuit, however, does not accomplishany result until the switch I15 is closed, which closes the secondary circuit of the transformer I16 over a circuit from the upper terminal of the secondary winding of transformer I16 over conductor I19, switch I15, conductor I88, winding of relay Ill and conductor I8I, to the lower terminal of the secondary of transformer I16. The closing of switch I15, therefore, energizes relay H8, causing the same to actuate its armature, the normally closed contacts being shown by dark arrows and the normally open contacts being shown by light arrows. A rotor conductor and a stator conductor may be used for switch I15 as in Fig. 1 for switch 45.

The closing of contact I88 completes a circuit from terminal 95 over conductor 99, conductor I84, closed contact I83, conductor I85, through the primary of transformer I86 over conductor I61, conductor I18, conductor I45 and conductor I28 to terminal 86 of the ll0-volt power supply. Thus, energlzation of the fullwave rectifier tube I88 is begun, the secondaries of transformer I86 being connected to its filament and anodes.

Energization of relay IIO' also closes contact I00, the closing of this contact energizing relay over a circuit from terminal 55, conductor 00, closed stop-switch I I0, conductor I I I, closed contact I89, conductor I90, conductor I00 and relay winding 98 to terminal 95. The energization of relay 98 will. therefore, energize one phase of the stator windings in the same manner as the manual closing of switch 91 described above, this connection being made immediately upon the energization of relay H3.

Energization of relay II! also closes a contact I92, the closing of which performs no immediate function, but does complete a circuit over conductor I93, closed contact I04, conductor I05, conductor I56, conductor I55, closes switch I04 and conductor 99 to terminal 95, the other portion ofthe circuit being from contact I92 over conductor I96 and to the terminals of relays IN and I44 over conductor I91 in parallel with conductors I52 and I4! and then to contacts I32 of relay I25. Ordinarily this circuit just traced would energize relays I44 and I5I, but as the circuit can only be completed when contacts I32 of relay i25 are closed, relays I44 and I5I will not beactuated. The energization of relay I25, however, will become effective only upon the closing of contact 200 of relay I, this latter re lay becoming energized only after the electronic rectifier tube I88 has become operative. There is, therefore, a time delay introduced between the energization of the first and other two phases of the stators, the magnitude of the time delay being dependent upon the time required for heating the filament of rectifier tube I00 and upon the time constant of the circuit made up of a resistance 202, a condenser 203, relay winding 20I and the resistance of the rectifier tube I00. When the relay 20I is energized after the predetermined time interval over conductors 204 and 205, a circuit will be completed over closed contact 200 from terminal 05, conductor 05, closed switch I34, conductor I05. conductor 205, closed contact 200, conductor 201, conductor I21 to relay I25 and terminal 05 over closed contact I01 of relay 98. After relay I25 has been energized and closes its contacts I20, this relay will be locked up over the original locking circuit formerly traced using conductors I05 and closed switch I34. With the closing of contacts I of relay I25, energization of all three phases of the stator windings will be complete over conductors l3'I, I38, and I09.

Although the operation of relay I25 closes con tacts I32 which would permit completion of the energization circuit for relays I44 and I5I, formerly traced over normally closed contact I04, contact I94 has now been opened by the actuation of relay 20I and consequently this energiza tion circuit is broken. That is, the energization circuit of relays I44 and I5I is not completed by the actuation of relay 20I because this relay.

simultaneously breaks the energization circuit at contact I94 while completing the circuit at contacts I32. so power is not immediately supplied to the driving motor over contacts I50, I51 and I58. However, the actuation oi relay 20I breaks the filament heating circuit for the rectifier I00 at contact 2I0, since this circuit is from contact 2 0 over conductor H I, normally closed contact I52, conductor 2I2, secondary winding 2I0, conductor 2I4, filament oi tube I00 and conductor M5 to the contact 2I0. Thus, the breaking oi this filament circuit will deenergize relay 20I and after a time interval determined by the values of series resistance 202 and shunt condenser 204, the relay 20I will be restored to its normal position which will close contact I54 to energize relays I44 and IOI over the circuits traced above. The energization of relays I44 and I5I will lock these relays by closing respective contacts I55 and I55 over circuits traced above for manual operation and three-phase power will be supplied to the driving motor 02 over closed contacts I55, I51 and I50, and the resistance box I1I will be connected across the rotors by the closing of contacts I00 and I5I.

The de-energization of relay 20I will again close contact 2I0 which would normally close the filament circuit of the rectifier I00. However, the relay I5I will open contact I52 in the filament heating circuit and rectifier I00 will remain deenergized during the running operation of the system Relay III will remain energized since switch I15 remains closed.

The above circuit system thus provides a predetermined series of operational sequences with predetermined time Intervals between them. That is, the order of the connections is first, the energization of a single phase of the stators oi the controlled motors and distributorand second, the energization of the other two phases with the required time delay being introduced by the heating period required for rectifier tube I00 and the time constants of the relay circuit. The third connection is the energization of the driving motor for the distributor and the connection of the necessary resistances across the rotor windings, a time delay being produced between the second and third connections by the timed deenergization of the relay III. In this manner predetermined timed starting connections are obtained which insures that all the motors will be properly and sufficiently locked to prevent the motors from running away. The system has been found to shorten the average total starting period of the motors, since the minimum of time is always taken for the sequence of operations, which is shorter than generally-obtained by the manual operations of the switches 01, I20, and I40, while any error in the operation of these switches in the wrong order is prevented. Therefore, less trouble is encountered in the starting and operation of A. C. interlock and Selsyn motor systems with the use of the above-described system.

I claim as my invention:

1. A starting system for a plurality of motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings adapted to be started and run in synchronism comprising a distributor having polyphase stator and rotor windings, a polyphase power source, switching means for connecting one phase of the stators of said motors and of said distributor to said polyphase power source, switching means for connecting the other two phases of said stators to said power source, a driving motor for said distributor, switching means for energizing said driving motor, means for controlling the sequence of operation of each of said switching means in a predetermined order, and a single manually operable switch for actuating said last mentioned means.

2. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 in which means are included in said means for controlling the sequence oi operations of said switching means for obtaining predetermined time intervals between said switching operations.

3. A starting system in accordance with claim 1 in which electronic means are provided for concurrent thereto during the operation oi said trolling the sequence and time of operation of one of said switching means, said electronic means being under the control of said single switch.

4. A motor starting system comprising a plurality oi. motors adapted to be started and run in synchronism, said motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings, a distributor having polyphase stator and rotor windings, the rotor of said distributor being interconnected with the rotors of said motors, a motor for driving said distributor, a power source, a plurality oi interlocking relays, the first of said relays connecting one hase of the stator windings of said distributor and one phase of the stator windings of said motors to said power source, the second oi said relays connecting the other two phases of the stator windings of said distributor and the stator windings of said motors to said power source; and, the third of said relays connecting said driving motor to said power source, and means for obtaining a predetermined time interval between the operation of said relays,

5. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 4 inwhich one of said relays includes an electronic device, the time of operation 01' said relay being controlled by the heating time of said electronic device and the time constant of the connections between said electronic device and said relay.

6, A motor starting system in accordance with claim 4in which is provided a thermionic rectifier, the heating time oi said rectifier and the time constant of the output circuit thereof controlling the time of operation oi one 01' said relays after said rectifier is energized, the time constant of said relay circuit controlling the time o! de-energization of said relay after said rectifier is deenergized.

'7. A motor starting system for a plurality oi motors adapted to be started and run in synchronism with eachother, said motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings comprising a D. C. to A. C. converter, a distributor-generator having polyphase stator and rotor windings. a direct current motor for rotating said distributorgenerator, a direct current power source, a plurality of relays, the first of said relays being adapted. to partially energize said converter from said power source and energize one phase oi. the stator windings of said motors and the stator windings of said distributor-generator from said converter, and the second of said relays being adapted to fully energize said converter from said power source, energize theother two phases oi the stator windings of said motors and the stator windings or said distributor-generator from said converter and connect said D; C. motor to said power source, and a thermionic device for providing a time delay between foperation of said relays.

8. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 7 in which a plurality of resistances are provided, said last-mentioned relay connecting said resistances across the rotor windings of said motors and distributor.

9. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 7 in which means are provided in the circuits for said relays for reducing the energizing motors.

10. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 7 in which means are provided in the energizing circuit for said thermionic device to reduce the energy supplied thereto in accordance with the output energy 01 said converter.

11. A motor starting system comprising a plurality of Selsyn motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings, a distributor for said motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings, said motors and distributor having their rotor windings interconnected and their statorwindings interconnected, a source 0! power, a motor for driving said distributor, a plurality oi resistances, and an automatic system including a single manually operable switch for connecting all or said motors and said distributor to said power source in the following steps; first, connecting one phase of the stator windings oi said Selsyn motors and one phase of the stator windings of said distributor to said power source, second, connecting the other two phases of the stator windings 0! said Selsyn motors and said distributor. to said power source, and, third, connecting said distributor driving motor to said power source and connecting said resistances across the rotors of said Selsyn motors and said distributor.

12. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 11 in which said automatic system includes a thermionic device to obtain predetermined time intervals between said steps of operation.

13. A motor starting system in accordance with claim 11 in. which said automatic system includes a thermionic rectifier having a relay in its output circuit, the time of operation of said relay being determined by the heating period 01' the filament of said rectifier and the time constant 01' said output circuit.

-14. A starting system for an alternating current interlock system including a plurality oi motors having polyphase stator and rotor windings, a distributor having polyphase stator and rotor windings, a driving motor for said distributor, and a polyphase power source comprising switch contacts for connecting one phase of said source to one phase 0! the stator windings of said motors and said distributor, switch contacts for connecting the other two phases 0! the source to the stator windings 01' said motors and distributor, switch contacts for connecting said source to said driving motor. switch contacts for interconnecting the rotor windings oi said motors and said distributor, and thermionic relay means under control of a single switch contact for closing said first mentioned switch contacts. then said second mentioned switch contacts, and then said third and fourth mentioned contacts, said thermionic relay means providing predetermined time delays between said closing operations determined by the heating period of said thermionic relay means and the time constant of said relay circuit.

15. A starting system in accordance with claim 14 in which the actuation of said fourth menlay means.

BURTON 1". MILLER;

tioned contacts de-energizes said thermionic rev 

